Iron Head intake questions

[The Mad Hatter]

Ok, so i'm building a parts list to put a 3.4L Camaro engine in my 86 Pontiac 6000 STE. I'm planning on keeping the iron heads (ported), but wondered about the intake. Is the intake off a 2.8L Fiero better than the one that came on the car? (See picture below). I'm NOT looking for maximum performance, just upgrading the car since this engine is about done. Shooting for 170 maybe. So, are these intakes the same or is the Fieros a little better? Thanks for any info!

Here's a pic of my current 2.8L

[TiredGXP]

Fiero intake is essentially the same, just different casting details on the top. The intake neck on the Fiero intake is substantially smaller than the throttle body opening.

The 3.4 camaro intake may be a less restrictive option.

I believe mods to the 3.4 intake are required to mount it in the FWD orientation.

[neo71665]

A RWD engine in a FWD car when they make a FWD version??

[Superdave]

um, yah.. have fun with that.. LOL



I'd pull your 2.8, rebuild it and drop in a 3.1 crank and new 3.1 flat top pistons and bolt all your old stuff back on. Much easier than relocating the starter and building new motor mounts. You'll pick up around 10 HP and 20 ft-lbs of TQ.

[The Mad Hatter]

Fiero intake is essentially the same, just different casting details on the top. The intake neck on the Fiero intake is substantially smaller than the throttle body opening.

The 3.4 camaro intake may be a less restrictive option.

I believe mods to the 3.4 intake are required to mount it in the FWD orientation.

Thank you for the answer. IIRC the Camaro intake is SFI, which would required me to change my ECU and associated wiring, correct?

A RWD engine in a FWD car when they make a FWD version??

They don't make a FWD 3.4L iron head distributor motor, the 3400's are aluminum headed DIS engines. I'm going for ease of swap, and switching the car over to DIS and all that is difficult, i think?

um, yah.. have fun with that.. LOL



I'd pull your 2.8, rebuild it and drop in a 3.1 crank and new 3.1 flat top pistons and bolt all your old stuff back on. Much easier than relocating the starter and building new motor mounts. You'll pick up around 10 HP and 20 ft-lbs of TQ.

Um, thanks for the vote of support there. I've seen this engine built before, the Fiero guys have done it. Here's a link to prove it: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000026-3.html

So i know it can be done, just never seen one in a 6000.

[TiredGXP]

Some more random thoughts and info:

No reason the 3.4 won't bolt right in - same motor mount locations as the 2.8, just have to drill the other side of the block to relocate the starter - Rodney Dickman sells a jig for drilling the holes: http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=34

I thought that the 3.4 crate engine block came with the provision for a crank sensor and DIS ignition. If you're using a distributor, you'll have to plug the pick-up boss. The DIS ignition is a nice upgrade from a distributor but sounds like more work than you're planning.

The 3.4 intake won't clear the distributor, so if you are looking for a better flowing intake, your options are limited. You can check out this thread over at PFF: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/069539.html or your other option is the Trueleo intake (wait for the comments...).

the 3.4 should be an internally balanced engine, I believe the 2.8's were internally balanced from 1988 and on. I don't remember when the 6000's were built any more, so if pre 88 you'll need a neutrally balanced flywheel/flexplate.

MPFI vs. SFI operation are determined by ECM programming and changes to the wiring harness, not the intake manifold...

[The Mad Hatter]

Some more random thoughts and info:

No reason the 3.4 won't bolt right in - same motor mount locations as the 2.8, just have to drill the other side of the block to relocate the starter - Rodney Dickman sells a jig for drilling the holes: http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=34

Yes, that is correct, the mounts would be fine, but i would have to redrill for the starter and i planned on using that jig.

I thought that the 3.4 crate engine block came with the provision for a crank sensor and DIS ignition. If you're using a distributor, you'll have to plug the pick-up boss. The DIS ignition is a nice upgrade from a distributor but sounds like more work than you're planning.

That I'm not sure of. I was going to stick with the distributor for ease of swap, but if a DIS swap is relatively easy then i would upgrade. I hadn't looked into it. BUT, if i was switching to DIS, then switching to aluminum heads would probably be included since going to aluminum heads would require DIS.

The 3.4 intake won't clear the distributor, so if you are looking for a better flowing intake, your options are limited. You can check out this thread over at PFF: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/069539.html or your other option is the Trueleo intake (wait for the comments...).

I knew the intake was gonna be a limiter for this engine, which is why i asked about the Fiero intake. Wasn't sure if it flowed better. From what i have seen, the Truleo intake won't fit under the hood of a 6000, not enough clearance.

the 3.4 should be an internally balanced engine, I believe the 2.8's were internally balanced from 1988 and on. I don't remember when the 6000's were built any more, so if pre 88 you'll need a neutrally balanced flywheel/flexplate.

Yes, i will need a neutrally balanced flywheel, and was going to get one. I am upgrading the car from a 3T40 to a 4T60 when i do the engine swap.

MPFI vs. SFI operation are determined by ECM programming and changes to the wiring harness, not the intake manifold...

I figured as much, which is why I wouldn't want to do an SFI swap, too much wiring and such.